Tennis News

Sinner, Alcaraz claim rare young sweep of Grand Slams in 2024

For years, tennis fans watched in awe as the ‘Big Three’— Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer— ruled the sport with an iron grip. They dominated the majors, amassing 66 titles from 81 Grand Slam tournaments between Federer’s 2003 Wimbledon triumph to Djokovic’s latest victory at the 2023 US Open.

The constant question looming over the sport has been when the reign of these titans would end. Has it arrived?

The 20-time major champion Federer retired in 2022, the same season Nadal won his 14th Roland Garros crown, his most recent Slam title. Though the 38-year-old Spaniard is still competing, he has been significantly hindered by injuries, having competed in just seven events — including just one major — this season.

And then there is Djokovic, who won three of the four majors in 2023, claimed this year’s Paris Olympics gold medal and is still in the Top 5 of the PIF ATP Rankings at age 37. But the 24-time major champion suffered a shocking third-round defeat to Alexei Popyrin in New York, ensuring that the Serbian will end the season without a major trophy for the first time since 2017.

With 23-year-old Jannik Sinner claiming his second Slam title at Flushing Meadows, this season marks only the third time — and the first since 1993 — that the four majors were won by players aged 23-and-under (Open Era).

The Italian, who strengthened his claim as World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings with the title, and Carlos Alcaraz have equally split the 2024 majors. Is this tug of war battle the next chapter in their thrilling Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry?

1993: The last time the four majors were won by players 23-and-under

*1974 marked the first time the four majors were won by players 23-and-under

En route to Sinner’s maiden major title at the Australian Open, he shocked 10-time champion Djokovic in the semi-finals and then rallied from two-sets-to-love down in the title match against Daniil Medvedev.

By winning the US Open, Sinner is the first player since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to add to his first major title with a second crown the same season.

Alcaraz, 21, won the season’s other two majors, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, becoming the youngest man to earn a major trophy on all three surfaces — clay, hard and grass.

The World No. 3 successfully defended his Wimbledon title by defeating seven-time champion Djokovic in the final for a second consecutive year, though this year’s win was in straight sets compared to 2023’s dramatic five-setter.

Alcaraz, a four-time major champion, became just the sixth man in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in the same year, joining Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Federer and Djokovic on that elite list.

This year could prove to be a seismic shift in the changing of the guard at the top of men’s tennis. Sinner and Alcaraz are two generational talents who have firmly planted themselves among the record books.

Did You Know?

Sinner and Alcaraz are both former champions at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where they triumphed aged 18 (Sinner in 2019, Alcaraz in 2021).

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Sinner takes stranglehold of battle for year-end No. 1

Jannik Sinner has taken a stranglehold on the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF by winning the US Open.

Entering the season’s final major, the Italian led then-second-placed Carlos Alcaraz by 1,440 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. It was possible for him to leave New York in second place.

But instead, Sinner departs with a commanding 2,885-point advantage over second-placed Alexander Zverev. The 23-year-old, who earlier this year became the first Italian in PIF ATP Rankings (since 1973) to reach World No. 1, is now in prime position to become the first player from his country to secure year-end No. 1.

PIF ATP Live Race To Turin

Sinner and Zverev are the singles players who have already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, which will be played from 10-17 November. 

Second-placed Zverev, the two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, is just 105 points ahead of Alcaraz, the 2022 ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF. The Spaniard is next in line to qualify.

Taylor Fritz surged to fifth place by reaching his first major final at Flushing Meadows. The American is now in position to qualify for the second time, after making his debut in 2022.

Of the top eight players in the Live Race, the only star who has never competed in the season finale is eighth-placed Alex de Minaur.

Currently outside the qualification cut is ninth-placed Novak Djokovic, who is 45 points behind De Minaur. The Serbian owns a record seven Nitto ATP Finals titles and has qualified for the prestigious event 16 times.

Only 630 points separate fifth-placed Fritz and ninth-placed Djokovic, so the battle for Nitto ATP Finals qualification will only continue to heat up.

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Sealed with a kiss: The US Open final in pictures

Pop icons and sporting legends, including Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, flocked to Arthur Ashe Stadium Sunday to soak in the atmosphere of the 2024 US Open men’s singles final.

Jannik Sinner, No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, claimed his second Grand Slam title of the year following his Australian Open triumph with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Taylor Fritz to take a 2-1 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head Series. Below is a look at the day in photos.

_{^{The US flag covered the court before Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz faced off in the men’s singles final at Flushing Meadows. (Photo credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)}}

_{^{Celebrity Couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were present along with Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammate, Patrick Mahomes. (Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)}}

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/19/35/fritz-walk-on-us-open-final-2024-sunday.jpg?w=100%25&hash=E7255E30B87AE6F597905183F5542242″ style=”width:100%;” alt=”Taylor Fritz” />
_{^{Fritz advanced to his first Grand Slam final after defeating Frances Tiafoe in five sets in the semi-finals. (Photo credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)}}

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/19/30/sinner-fritz-pre-match-us-open-final-2024-sunday.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz” />
_{^{Sinner and Fritz were 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head record coming into the final. (Photo credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)}}

_{^{<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/20/09/sinner-us-open-final-fist-pump.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner ” />
No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Sinner surged into the lead, taking the opening set 6-3. (Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}}

_{^{Fans watched on a screen from outside the Arthur Ashe Stadium to soak up the atmosphere. (Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)}}

_{^{Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), was present in the Arthur Ashe for the men’s singles final. (Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}}

_{^{<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/20/20/fritz-fist-pump-us-open-final-2024-sunday.jpg” style=”width:100%px;” alt=”Taylor Fritz” />
Fans inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered for home hero Taylor Fritz as he went up a break in the third set. (Photo credit: KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)}}

_{^{<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/21/01/sinner-celebration-us-open.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner” />
Sinner raised his arms in celebration after defeating Fritz in straight sets to claim his maiden US Open title. (Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)}}

_{^{<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/21/22/sinner-trophy-us-open-2024-sunday.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner” />
Jannik Sinner raises the US Open trophy aloft after his victory over Fritz. (Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)}}

_{^{<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/21/31/sinner-press-trophy.jpg?w=100%25&hash=25D378E28746A359B3DBFD934E863306″ style=”width:100%;” alt=”Jannik Sinner” />
Sinner poses on court for photos with his US Open trophy. (Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)}}

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Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce attend US Open final

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are in attendance at the US Open singles final.

The celebrity couple are watching Jannik Sinner play Taylor Fritz for the trophy at the season’s final Grand Slam tournament.

US Open (Taylor’s Version) ✨@usopen | #USOpen

pic.twitter.com/CrXobIzi8u

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 8, 2024

Swift, a singer and songwriter, is one of the most famous people on the planet. Her partner, Kelce, is a star tight end for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/18/50/kelce-swift-mahomes-us-open-2024.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift and Patrick Mahomes watching the US Open final.” />
^{Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift and Patrick Mahomes watch the final. Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images.}
Other celebrities who are at Flushing Meadows Sunday include Kelce’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Anna Wintour.

Actors Matthew McConaughey, Dustin Hoffman and Eddie Redmayne are watching the match, as are singers Usher and Jon Bon Jovi. NBA champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and NHL legend Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers are in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The championship clash features the first American man in a US Open singles final since 2006.

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Sabalenka 'living best life' after solving US Open struggles

Aryna Sabalenka says she is “the happiest person in the world” after winning the US Open title following so many “tough losses” in New York.

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Sabalenka holds off Pegula to win first US Open title

Aryna Sabalenka wins her first US Open title as she puts the disappointment of last year’s final behind her to hold off American home hope Jessica Pegula.

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Sinner and Fritz bid to make history in US Open final

Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz will each bid for a slice of history when they face off in Sunday’s US Open final.

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Draper to look into sickness issues

Jack Draper says he is “going to really look into” the reason why he has been sick during some major matches.

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Relive Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open triumph

For years, one of the biggest questions in tennis has been when an American man would win a Grand Slam singles title. It has been 21 years since Andy Roddick triumphed at the US Open.

Taylor Fritz, the first American man to reach a major singles final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, has a chance to halt the questions on Sunday when he faces World No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the trophy at Flushing Meadows.

According to Brad Gilbert, who coached Roddick to the title here in 2003, the circumstances are much different.

“I’m not going to say you took it for granted or expected it, but 2002 was an all-American final, and we had so many Americans in the finals of Slams then,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “So it wasn’t a stretch. It was that you figured Andy was the new guy.”

Roddick accomplished a lot in his Hall of Fame career, climbing to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and reaching four additional major finals. But no other American man has broken through since he did more than two decades ago.

When Roddick emerged victorious in New York, Roger Federer had just won his first major title at Wimbledon two months earlier. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were not yet in the spotlight.

“You didn’t know [Roger] was going to become what he was going to become, and then Rafa and Joker. So at that time, I kind of just thought it was normal. It was American dominance,” Gilbert said. “You thought it was going to continue.”

Roddick entered the 2003 US Open in top form, having won back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 titles in Montreal and Cincinnati, including a victory against Federer in Canada. He won 20 of 21 matches leading into the season’s final major.

“Andy played great that whole summer,” Gilbert said.

After reaching the semi-finals with the loss of just one set, Roddick’s dreams of Grand Slam glory nearly came to an early end. He lost the first two sets of his semi-final against David Nalbandian before rallying past the Argentine 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-1, 6-3.

At 5/6 in the third-set tie-break, Roddick saved match point with a big serve.

“He had to really dig out of a jam in the semi when he was down two sets to none and he was in trouble in that breaker,” Gilbert said.

The coach recalls rain wreaking havoc, forcing Roddick’s final opponent, Juan Carlos Ferrero, to play on four consecutive days.

“That was definitely tricky that he had to do that,” Gilbert said. “[Andy] got a round ahead twice during the tournament… He definitely benefitted a little by a couple times finishing [his match]. But you still had to win the matches and the Nalbandian one was a nail biter.”

Roddick then defeated Ferrero 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3 for the trophy. No American man has accomplished the feat at a major since.

Will Fritz change that on Sunday?

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Brad Gilbert breaks down what Fritz needs to do to upset Sinner

Entering the US Open, Taylor Fritz had never advanced past a Grand Slam quarter-final. His opponent in Sunday’s final, Jannik Sinner, is the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and this year’s Australian Open champion.

But Brad Gilbert, who helped Coco Gauff to her first Slam trophy at last year’s US Open, does not believe Fritz’s lack of experience this deep in a major will play much of a role.

“He’s been around long enough. He’s played a bunch of Slams, and I feel like he’s a clean ball-striker, too,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “I’ve seen some players in their first major obviously get really tight. He doesn’t strike me as that. He might not win, but I don’t feel like the moment is going to be too big for him.”

According to the former World No. 4, “there’s no doubt that Sinner is definitely the solid favourite”. The Italian is trying to clinch his second Slam crown and take a firm grip on top spot in the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF.

“But you’ve got to go out and execute,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “They both hit the ball really well. But who’s going to control the centre of the court?

“The big thing that jumps out between the two of them is Sinner is a way better mover and way better defender… Fritz has got to be offensive-minded because they both play great offence, but Sinner can play better defence.”

So far this US Open, Fritz has won 57.5 per cent of points he has played in the 0-4 rally length. Sinner has won 58.4 per cent of those points. Both men strike early and effectively.

Gilbert believes the most important thing for Fritz will be his serve and even taking some risk on his second serve to allow him to control points.

“Sinner will make him run hard, and he cracks the second-serve return. So I do think he needs a good serving day on the first, and he’s going to have to take some chances on the second,” Gilbert said. “He’s just got to stay out of where Sinner is the one initiating the offence. He’s got to be aggressive from the centre of the court, especially with his forehand.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/07/20/35/gilbert-us-open-2024.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Brad Gilbert” />
^{Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images}
In his quarter-final against two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev and his semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, Fritz came up against opponents with two of the most solid backhands in the sport. Gilbert was impressed with how well Fritz handled those battles.

“I think he’s been hitting his backhand as well as I’ve seen him,” Gilbert said. “He’s been doing well backhand to backhand with every player I’ve seen. He did really well against Zverev and I didn’t think he would do well in that matchup. So he is playing well, but I do think for him the serve is key.”

Fritz is one of the best offensive players on the ATP Tour, with an ability to control the action against most of his opponents from the baseline. Gilbert believes it is essential that Fritz is the one playing offence.

“As good as Fritz is on offence, Sinner’s offence is probably better. I’ve been impressed with Fritz, he’s played under control all tournament, and he hits big with the forehand and his backhand is much improved. I think that’s why he’s playing better. His backhand is much improved,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been impressed, like I said, all tournament long. I thought that side, sometimes people can make progress with and I’m like, ‘Shoot, maybe I’ve got to recalibrate [my thoughts with] that shot’.”

Entering the semi-finals, Gilbert felt that if everyone remaining played their typical tennis, Sinner would emerge with the trophy. If they all play really well, Sinner would also triumph.

“My first thought was, Sinner wins six sets to zero. That was the first thought,” Gilbert said. “But I do feel like probably of the three players left that Fritz had the best shot. If he plays really well and Sinner is a little bit off, then who knows?”

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